Lady Jane Rochford, Viscount of Rochford

By -

She notoriously accused both her husband- George Boleyn, and his sister- Anne Boleyn of incest and treason which sent them both to the executioner's block. She later testified against Anne of Cleves, which could (but didn't) have resulted in the latter's death and then against Catherine Howard, which sent both Lady Rochford and Catherine Howard to their death. This woman is rarely spoken about but she was lady-in-waiting to five of Henry VIII's wives.

Lady Jane Rochford was born in Norfolk in circa 1505. Her father was Henry Parker, 10th Baron Morley, a court translator and peer; he was knighted at the coronation of Anne Boleyn. Her mother was Alice St. John and her father was a 1st cousin to Henry VII. Jane had two siblings, the first was Margaret Parker, who married Sir John Shelton and the second was Henry Parker, a politician for Hertfordshire. Probably educated at home, Jane went to court to be a lady-in-waiting to Henry VIII's first wife- Catherine of Aragon before the age of fifteen. Jane's name is recorded in the lists of courtiers who accompanied the king and queen to France for the 'Field of the Cloth of Gold' tournament in 1520. Also, she was recorded to have performed in the court pageant in 1522.

George Boleyn 
Around 1525, the Parkers organised their daughter to marry George Boleyn. Meanwhile George's sister was being pursued by Henry VIII. Therefore the king's wedding present to the couple was Grimston Manor in Norfolk. In 1529, George was given the title Viscount Rochford. However the Boleyn family's fortune grew and Jane and George Boleyn became residents at the Palace of Beaulieu, which had hot and cold running water! Many novelists and historians give the impression that the couple's marriage was unhappy yet there is no solid evidence for this. It is likely that George Boleyn had mistresses but that wasn't unusual as many noblemen did. But the fact that Jane testified against her husband in 1536 at the downfall of Anne Boleyn, may infer that there was some tension and strain in the arranged marriage. There is also suggestions that they had one son, another George Boleyn, who died in 1603, but it is unlikely.

Jane was present at the death of Henry's third wife Jane Seymour but then retired from court. However she returned at the arrival of Anne of Cleves to be a lady-in-waiting. After Anne and Henry's divorce, Jane's cousin by marriage (Catherine Howard) became queen. Unfortunately, Jane assisted Catherine in her affairs and was arrested with the queen in 1542.

Both Catherine Howard and Jane Rochford were found guilty of the Act of Attainder and were sentenced to beheading on the same day, 13th February 1542. Before the charge was passed, it was illegal to kill a mad person, instead, they would be sent to convent. Knowing this, Jane faked being mad but upon discovering that she was going to be beheaded, she protested her innocence. Lady Jane Rochford died the same fate as her husband, sister-in-law and cousin.


Sources:
~ Wikipedia: Henry Parker, 10th Baron Morley
~ Good Gentlewoman: Alice St John, Lady Morley

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Murder of Edward VI's Dog...

By -
Image
In 1547, Henry VIII died and his nine year old son became King Edward VI of England. As he was not yet an adult, Edward's uncle Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset (brother of the king's dead mother-  Jane Seymour ) became Lord Protector, ruling the country on behalf of Edward VI. He was Lord Protector between 1547 and 1549. Thomas Seymour (young Edward's 'favourite' uncle) had been promoted to Lord High Admiral, this gave him the power to control the royal navy. Seymour took advantage of this power and tried to lead a rebellion on the throne. Now, the officials had there eye on the scheming uncle... Jealous of his brother's high position in the country, Thomas Seymour  snuck into the palace one night in an attempt to kidnap his nephew. Whilst breaking into the palace, one of Edward's favourite pets, a spaniel began barking. Afraid that the dog would alert the guards, Seymour shot it. On 28th March 1549, Thomas Seymour was beheaded for high treason. ...
Read more

4 ways to remember Henry VIII's six wives

By -
Image
Henry VIII is probably most famous for marrying six wives:  Catherine of Aragon , Anne Boleyn , Jane Seymour , Anne of Cleves ,  Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr .  But not everyone can remember them just like that, so here's a few ways to remember it. 1. The rhyme This doesn't tell you the names of the wives however it dose tell you what happend to them. Divorced,  Beheaded,  Died,  Divorced,  Beheaded,  Survived. 2. A song  I heard this song and loved it! It is really fun and it helps you to remember the basic information about Henry VII's six wives! 3. Get to know the six wives If you want to know a little more detail about King Henry VIII's six wives, then you can take a look at this blog series by us! 1.  Catherine of Aragon 2.  Anne Boleyn 3.  Jane Seymour 4.  Anne of Cleves 5.  Catherine Howard 6.  Katherine Parr 4. A...
Read more

Were Catherine and Henry Carey the Children of Henry VIII?

By -
Image
Catherine Carey (1562) For centuries historians have been arguing whether Mary Boleyn's children- Catherine Knollys (née Carey) and Henry Carey- were illegitimate offspring of Henry VIII. If they were, then they were never acknowledged as his issue in the king's lifetime. If they were not Henry's children, then they were likely to be the other possible father- William Carey (Mary's husband)'s.  Mary Boleyn was definitely Catherine and Henry's mother, there is no doubt about it. She was the oldest child of Sir Thomas Boleyn and his wife Elizabeth Howard and was likely to have been born in 1499. Also Mary was the older sister of Henry VIII's second wife Anne Boleyn and their younger brother George Boleyn. In 1520, Mary married the king's peer Sir William Carey (a possible candidate for the children's father). For some time in their marriage, Mary was the mistress of King Henry VIII. She died after being married for nine years to Sir William S...
Read more